‘malarial Mosouito’ Seen Lone Beneficiary of Ban

March 1, 1940

LONDON (Feb. 29)

Only the “malarial mosouito” stands to gain from the restrictions on Jewish land purchase in Palestine, it was asserted editorially today by the Zionist Review, official organ of the British Zionist Federation.

The Review charged that Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald’s land ordinance stood “between the land and the people” because Arabs might be anxious to sell part of their land to get capital to develop the remainder.

“The land is doomed to rot and the Jew to homelessness,” the editorial said, adding: “Who gains then from MacDonald’s land restrictions? None but the malarial mosquito.”

The Review questioned whether the Colonial Office’s Palestine policy was “compatible with the fight against injustice and persecution” proclaimed by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. “Is it just,” the editorial asked, “to go back on solemn promises, strangle the Jewish national home and prevent Palestine from giving shelter to victims of Hitler’s oppression? Is it just to destroy the main hope of the Jewish people?”